MPs have dismissed a Government statement on the Mpeketoni attacks as shallow and pressed the chairperson of the House Committee on National Security, Asman Kamama, for the right answers regarding the massacre.

The lawmakers yesterday sought to know who the perpetrators were, why they were not repulsed and what the Government has done so far to deal with the killings of over 50 people in the remote village in mid-June.

Mr Kamama, the MP for Tiaty, was hard-pressed to defend the Government and gave only a rundown of arrests and investigations so far.

"Three people have been arrested and charged with murder; 69 other suspects are being investigated, five were gunned down and three AK-47 rifles and five magazines were recovered. Crucial leads are being followed to arrest some of the perpetrators," said Kamama as he delivered the response in the House on behalf of the Ministry of Interior and National Co-ordination.

But the lawmakers pressed on. Lamu Woman Rep Shakila Abdalla demanded to know the nature of the intelligence report presented prior to the attack.

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"When was the report presented and what did it say? There were 69 people arrested; why is it that only three were taken to court?" She asked.

Ms Abdalla told Kamama the statement was "shallow" because it did not address different means to deal with the insecurity. She raised the issue that a General Service Unit camp exists in Mokowe, less than 30km from Lamu, yet when the attacks happened, the GSU officers failed to respond on time.

The MP dismissed the position of the Ministry of Interior that the new camp in Kibaoni would deal with the insecurity.

"There have been six more attacks. What action has been taken?" posed Abdalla.

MPs Agostinho Neto (Ndhiwa), Rachel Ameso (Kakamega), Raphael Letimalo (Samburu East), Jared Opiyo (Awendo) and Isaac Mwaura (nominated) said the State should reveal who killed citizens in cold blood.

"You say you have arrested people. Are they Al-Shabaab or are they politically-oriented militia?" asked Mr Neto.

Ms Ameso said the land issue in Lamu was being touted as the source of conflict and sought a link between land and the killings. Kamama agreed with the MPs' sentiments but his view was that the Government was in control of the situation. He said the attacks were the work of Al-Shabaab in cahoots with local politicians.